How to restore exterior black plastic trim

cartman57 said:
Great tip!
Never thought about using the carpet brush for plastic work.
Click to expand...

Takes all the elbow grease out of the job and actually works pretty well. For places you cannot use a brush then you want to use elbow grease, a good APC type cleaner and some type of application material that has a nap, either microfiber or terry cloth and you use the nap of the cloth as a form of mild, non-scratching abrasive.


My Power Point Presentation for my class this Thursday at Mobil Tech Expo goes into more detail.



:)
 
Hey Mike, Don't suppose you could throw some Collinite 845 on a few of those trim pieces and tell me what it does to it, eh?
 
This may be a bit off topic.

I've been using Meguiar's Ultimate Wax (LIQUID!) to maintain the plastic on my truck (that monster has more plastic parts than a Revell model). It works well if not just plain good.

How this will work on plastic that has 'gone around the bend', no idea.

Just my $.02...

Bill
 
I found spray wax after treatingthe plastic works well. so buff on sometrim product then wait an hour and spray on then buff off some spray wax. left no white residue and improved trim restorer or trim conditioner durability. 845 will leave white residue if accidently left on trim. I should know... I have to remove some in the spring.
 
Fishincricket said:
Hey Mike, Don't suppose you could throw some Collinite 845 on a few of those trim pieces and tell me what it does to it, eh?
Click to expand...

I use 845 on most of my black plastics. The key is to work it in well and not let it dry with any appreciable amount of product on the surface. Rub it with a dry MF until it seems like ther's nothing left. I did my DD Olds, which sits outside 24/7, in mid November. The plastics still look as good and bead as well as the paint, which got 2 passes with 476.

If 845 worked on tires, I could avoid exterior dressings completely.

Bill
 
BillE said:
This may be a bit off topic.

I've been using Meguiar's Ultimate Wax (LIQUID!) to maintain the plastic on my truck (that monster has more plastic parts than a Revell model). It works well if not just plain good.

How this will work on plastic that has 'gone around the bend', no idea.

Just my $.02...

Bill
Click to expand...

I believe it would protect the plastic that is oxidized, but not restore them. I believe you could put on a black trim revival product, let it cure, and then put on the wax on top. I'm not sure how it would bond, but in theory it could provide protection for the black trim revival product.
 
It's amazing what routine care of plastic will do for you, I just detailed a friends Jeep Cherokee that has the same textured plastic door handles as my Dodge Ram. I routinely use 303 Aerospace on my door handles and they look great, I tried the same on his neglected Jeep handles. It made them look better, but nowhere near as nice as the ones on my truck.

I look forward to seeing more results on this.
 
Going to follow this thread. As most of the bottom of my Ford Expy is Grey or Black Vinyl. Also want to see how the pillar cover come out...looks like mine may have gotten stains with tree sap this past few months.
 
I've had good long term results with CG Natural Shine Dressing
 
So other than a good scrub, what products would be recommended?

I replaced the rubber at the top of the door, against the windows on all 4 plus the lift gate on my sons 4Runner as it was just too brittle. The rest of the rubber trim around the windows was a bit oxidized (black would rub off) and I used a fresh Brillo pad (with the soap) with good results.

The trim around the fixed windows is more vinyl and had spots on it that also responded to the Brillo treatment. I also have a very soft wheel 3M buffing pad that's drill mounted that will buff and polish without scratching that had mixed results.

Mike I just want to thank you for this timely thread (as I've just started a reconditioning project on a 98 4Runner). I am very interested in the methods and products you use to bring these items back to life.

I am most interested in this subject including listings of products, info on whether they are 'slick' on surfaces like running boards and bumpers, as well as satin and/or gloss finishes. Also any information as to longevity on various materials (plastic vs vinyl vs rubber).

As always, thank you for your passion and dedication to the industry, especially to this forum and it's members.

Thanks,

Cardaddy / aka Tony
 
MPBGT said:
It's amazing what routine care of plastic will do for you, I just detailed a friends Jeep Cherokee that has the same textured plastic door handles as my Dodge Ram.

I routinely use 303 Aerospace on my door handles and they look great, I tried the same on his neglected Jeep handles. It made them look better, but nowhere near as nice as the ones on my truck.
Click to expand...


And that's what it's all about.


Routine maintenance = find something you like and use it often.




cardaddy said:
As always, thank you for your passion and dedication to the industry, especially to this forum and it's members.

Thanks,

Cardaddy / aka Tony
Click to expand...


Thanks Tony...


This is my first day back to work after Mobil Tech Expo and it's always very rewarding to touch bases with other detailers in the industry with the same passion for the craft...


:)
 
Thanks for this info. I am very interested in getting exterior plastic restored. Where do you find aerospace 303?
 
the brush that is showen in post #17, is it one of the Cyclo brushes?
 
a while back i posted about something called renu finish. apparently it's super popular on amazon now (before you couldn't find it anywhere) but anyway i still have my original bottles and i find it to be amazing at restoring the sorts of items Mike is showing here. depending on how aged and neglected the plastic is you might have to do several applications but the bottom line is once you are done, it is about as permanently restored as physically possible. at least that is my experience. i've used it on eighth gen civic roof gutter trim and wiper cowls...MBZ rubber window trim...wrangler flare extensions, etc., etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top